Month: September 2018

To shake things up again (and to post more than once a week), I’m joining Blogtober – on Lisa’s suggestion. We’re using the original of Laura Morningstar, who also provided a helpful list of topics on her blog:

So much food! When I’m not at work I rarely eat lunch (because I get up later, and so have breakfast later). No such nonsense with my mom and aunt here though, lunch every day! And dinner. And breakfast. And maybe things in between those meals, some days.

Insta/Twitter/YouTube

My aunt played us this clip (in Swedish, sorry):

Personal

After having walked around Leiden several days, I can only say – again – that it’s a very pretty city. If you like old houses and canals, if you don’t, then it’s not for you.

Purchase

Recommendation

Took the visiting ladies to the Zuiderzee museum after a recommendation from a colleague, and it was very nice. We were very lucky with the weather too, so that helped.

This weekend I fell down the rabbit hole that is Youtube, and watched lots of music clips. Then I remembered this one (saw a clip where Max Martin got the Polar Prize and mentioned Lasse Holm’s “Växeln hallå” – watched that, then a comment mentioned “Just nu”, which made me think of this). There’s this show on Swedish TV4 where (more or less) well-known artists get together a week and cover each other’s songs. One of the first years, two of the participants were E-Type and Laleh.

This is the original (which I recommend you watch/listen to first):

(This was a hit when I was in high school btw, such was the popular music in end of nineties Sweden.)

Wed-Fri my breakfast (which I’m usually very poor at actually eating) consisted of an oatmeal/protein powder shake from this book, and I have to say… not bad! The taste is fine (I quite like artificial flavors, so no issue using protein powder) and I didn’t get hungry before lunch. Also tried bell pepper with hummus as a “snack” during the day (mmm, hummus) and that was nice. Don’t worry though, I have no intention of changing lunch or dinner, especially since we’re still doing the food box thing for dinners.

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To-do list

Checking if we’re actually signed in with our new doctor. (Pref. before anyone gets sick.)

As you may or may not know, we moved to a different city in May. The first 6 or so weeks, we were busy every weekend and did not prioritize going to the gym.* And then we were lazy. Three weeks ago was the first time my partner went to the gym, and yeah. We’re going to switch. The old gym (in old town) had a pool and relaxation area, which is why I thought it was fine to pay the fee we did every month. This new one does not, and it’s tiny, and they barely have any machines.

But next to my work (I’m not joking, it’s like 150 metres) there’s a gym. It’s pretty busy from what I’ve seen, but it’s new(ish) with up-to-date equipment and friendly staff. And a lower monthly fee than we used to pay, even with a “family discount”.

Yesterday I had an “intake” chat with one of the trainers. I could do a rant here, but I’ll cut it short and just say that after I insisted that I want to get stronger(!) and hence preferably not do 2 sets of 20 reps, he adjusted the plan for me to be 3 sets of each 8 reps, and 6 different machines. I know, I know, machines, but hear me out. The plan is 6 weeks with the machines to build some starting strength, then to move on to free weights (note: he said this, not I). I’m fine with it. Means I have time to get my socially anxious self used to the gym, and less intimidated by the machine-hogging males.

And the machines are super techy and keep track of your program (through a smart key) and how much weight and reps you should do. Once finished, it tells you the next machine you should go to according to your plan. I like it (yeah, yeah, after 1 time).

We shall see how it goes!

*I would like to point out that I was right though. I had already told my partner that I don’t like the location “our” gym has in this city. He is a man of rational thought and convinced me we should at least try it out.